A HISTORY OF ST. MIKAEL ORTHODOX CHURCH IN DIRE DAWA, (1917-1991

Abstract

This thesis focuses on a history of St. Mikael Orthodox Church in Dire Dawa (1917-1991).It is the first EOTC that was established along the Ethio-Djibouti railway terminal. This study examines the early foundation and development of the St.Mikael Orthodox Church since its establishment by Ras Mekonnen up to the collapse of Derg Regime in 1991. It also examines how the Franco-Ethiopian Railway contributed to the foundation of Dire Dawa and the establishment of St. Mikael Orthodox Church. The roles of Ras Mekonnen and his son Teferi Mekonnen were great in supporting the church with land grant and financing its buildings. In the highly diversified city of Dire Dawa, the church embarked upon evangelical, cultural, social and economic activities both before and after the Italian occupation of Ethiopia. In the post liberation period, the St. Mikael Orthodox Church showed its sophistication in administrative structure with the role of the clergies and the laities towards the growth and expansion of the church as well as the socio-cultural activities which have been conducted by members of the church. The research further describes the economy of the church and the basic source of income from land grant. The socio-economic and socio-cultural aspects of the church are also analyzed. Although the church somewhat suffered under the Italians, the pro-government policy of generous land grants and Häile Sellassié’s close support and visits to the church enabled it to thrive until 1974 revolution during which time the church faced substantial economic losses with the confiscation of land and its properties. The impact of “Land to the Tiller” proclamation in 1975 is carefully examined. Since St. Mikael Orthodox Church engaged in socio-economic and cultural activities, it had to generate incomes and run up business to scale up its income for its evangelical activities in Dire Dawa.Moreover, the St. Mikael Orthodox Church played significant role in order to solve problems related to inter-faith conflict and other problems through the Church’s different administrative structure. Methodologically, the research is crafted qualitatively. The views of 50 informants are taken in to consideration. The methods of data collections are also diversified in order to maintain reliability and authencity. Hence, oral interviews, published, unpublished materials and documents were exhaustively consulted